Miami's offensive line has an under-the-radar concern that needs to be addressed

Seuseu "SJ" Alofaituli played every offensive snap at left guard in Miami's 33-20 win at Wake Forest, but the level of play wasn't where it needed to be, and the staff will have to address that.

PFF gave Alofaituli a 58.6 overall grade and a 22.8 pass-blocking grade, the lowest mark on the offensive line. Those starters, Alofaituli, Samson Okunlola, Ryan Rodriguez, Max Buchanan and Matthew McCoy, each played all 70 snaps.

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Okunlola allowed two pressures, McCoy allowed one and still graded as Miami's best run blocker and the No. 3 offensive player, and Rodriguez did not allow a pressure and has none on 88 pass-blocking snaps this season.

Alofaituli is a sophomore from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. He arrived as a top interior recruit, played 14 games as a freshman and spent part of the 2025 season as a backup lineman and fullback.

At 6-foot-2 and just below 300 pounds, Alofaituli is the smallest starter on an offensive line that has two 6-foot-8 freshmen waiting on the sidelines to play. Five-star Jackson Cantwell of Nixa, Missouri, played just two snaps on Friday while four-star Ben Congdon did not play on offense.

When assessing the offensive line so far this season for Miami, the level of play has been acceptable. Against lesser competition, the line has protected QB Darian Mensah very well and allowed for gains on the ground game. But the concern is that the current group could fall below expectations once the competition begins to heat up.

Alofaituli would be the first offensive lineman to split reps with either of the young, highly-touted freshmen that are patiently waiting their turn for an opportunity. Miami’s staff will have to be smart about when/if they decide to make a move.

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